Commercial building boom leads to plant expansion by Ethan Forhetz, KY3 News
MONETT, Mo. -- A manufacturing company is expanding and adding 200 jobs at its plant in Monett. EFCO is seeing the benefits of the country's commercial building boom. Factory workers are framing and cleaning windows faster than ever at the EFCO plant. "Business is good," said Chief Executive Officer Chris Fuldner. In fact, EFCO has a record backlog of orders, the highest by $50 million in the company's 53 years in existence. The company specializes in windows and aluminum framing for commercial buildings like strip malls, schools, condominiums, offices and skyscrapers.
After a couple of tough years in 2003 and 2004, the tide is turning EFCO's way. "The commercial industry is following a housing industry that's seen a major boom over recent years," said Fuldner. "All homes need new schools, malls, new office buildings." The 200 or so new jobs will be mostly factory positions, phased in over the next year. "It's a challenge to find 200 folks, but I’m sure it doesn't hurt the economy one bit," said Fuldner. "Monett is a town of 7,400 but has 14,000 jobs, so adding 200 is good for the future of that base," said Jack Schulz of the Monett Chamber of Commerce. EFCO is headquartered in Monett.
